Cameroon send AWCON warning after Mali victory

Geoffrey Mwamburi in Accra, Ghana

Cameroon women’s football team head coach Berndette Annor labelled their comeback victory over Mali as she sounded a warning alarm to their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) rivals.

After a goalless first half, Cameroon fell a goal down in the 52nd minute thanks to Aisatta Traore’s goal but Meffoumetou Tcheno and Nchout Njoya responded to lift the Indomitable Lionesses to a 2-1 win.

The result at the Accra Sports Stadium lifted Cameroon into top of Pool A on three points, level with hosts Ghana who kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Algeria.

“We were very prepared; before the tournament kicked off we had played couple of international friendly matches with strong teams and we performed well. I believe this is just the start and more is to come,” Annor said.

The biennial continental showpiece enters Day Two on Sunday at the Cape Coast Stadium where champions Nigeria will take on South Africa before Zambia play Equatorial Guinea later at the same venue.

Nigeria head coach Thomas Dennerby said he is optimistic they will defend their title and picked out fellow West African countries as most likely to stop them in that bid.

“We are well prepared, the morale is high and what we are expecting is a win. I really respect South Africa, they are very tough with fantastic players but we will work hard,” Dennerby said.

Zambia’s Shepolopolo will miss the services of their talismanic skipper Barbara Banda for their opener against two-time champions Equatorial Guinea after she accrued two yellow cards in the qualification rounds.

“It’s a big blow but I will have to work with what I have, looking forward for a draw against Equatorial Guinea,” Shepolopolo coach Bruce Mwape said.

Shepolopolo’s second choice goalkeeper Catherine Musonda was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury in a 7-0 friendly loss to Cameroon in Abidjan.